West Bend Stir Crazy Movie Theater Popcorn Popper

Curated from 85 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: August 24, 2024

West Bend Stir Crazy Movie Theater Popcorn Popper

Brand: West Bend
Price: $69
Snoop Score:
4.5
Sentiment
5.3
Popularity
7.2
Technical
2.8

Snoop's Take

The West Bend Stir Crazy Movie Theater Popcorn Popper is a gourmet popcorn maker designed to deliver delicious, movie theater-style popcorn right at home. With its nonstick popcorn kettle and convenient stirring mechanism, this machine can produce up to 4 quarts of popcorn in just minutes, making it perfect for movie nights and special events. Consumer feedback highlights its ability to produce high-quality popcorn, with many users expressing satisfaction, stating, "I’ve had a Stircrazy for about four or five years and I love it!" However, some concerns have been raised regarding the non-stick surface and the lid design, which can lead to issues like melted components and soggy popcorn with butter. Despite these drawbacks, many still appreciate its reliable performance and convenience for home use. Overall, the West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper is recommended for those seeking an efficient and user-friendly popcorn machine, provided they are mindful of its potential limitations regarding butter use and cleaning.

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I've got one in my cupboard right now. It works great.

Positive Feedback

Omg real butter flavor that melted the popcorn into mush

Negative Feedback
Product
4.5
West Bend Stir Crazy Movie Theater Popcorn Popper
Movie Night at Home
9 / 10
Healthier Snacking
3 / 10
Small Kitchens & Dorm Rooms
4 / 10
Gifts & Entertaining
3 / 10
See how this compares to all Popcorn Poppers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Great popcorn quality
I've got one in my cupboard right now. It works great.
West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Maker 1986
My folks got one of these in the 90s, to replace The Great Hot-Air Popper. It worked very well.
West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Maker 1986
Great for making popcorn
One of the best for roasting coffee; the reason you don’t find them all over the place in Goodwills.
Great for making flavorful popcorn
From everything I have read, the Whirly-pop is the "gold standard" for popping popcorn!
Reliable performance with various popcorn types
I’ve had a Stircrazy for about four or five years and I love it! I’ve used all different types of popcorn in it, and it works every time.
I just got a Stir Crazy, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
Convenient for home use
I have been looking at automatic stirring machines for a while now because I have a medical issues that keep me from standing at the stove anymore.
Produces high-quality popcorn
Thanks for sharing. It was a delicious cup this morning even just 18 hours off roast.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Butter can make popcorn mushy
Omg real butter flavor that melted the popcorn into mush
Concerns about non-stick surface and PFAS chemicals
I liked the function of it but I am hesitant to get another Stir Crazy as it had a non-stick cook surface and I am trying to avoid PFAS chemical when possible.
Lid for adding toppings melted quickly
The lid on the top for adding salt and melted butter melted pretty much right away so the bowl function was pretty useless, but as an actual popcorn popper it was pretty good.
Popcorn comes out cold
The popcorn comes out cold. Like rice cake cold.
Lid design prone to melting
they designed the clear plastic to melt and crack.
Soggy popcorn with butter
Or you sprinkle salt and none of it sticks and it all falls down to the bottom of the bowl.
Difficult to clean
They can’t be clean with standard soap can’t be put in a dish washer.

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Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Alternative butter application suggested
Real pros melt the butter in a saucepan and drizzle it over the popcorn when it comes out
Not sure if I ever have gotten the ratios right or have the best brands, so would love to get this group's input on the best ingredients, perfect amounts and recipes with stovetop, air popped, stir crazys.....
Would you say butter flavored coconut oil is a must or should I try plain ghee/coconut oil?
West Bend Air Crazy melts itself.
Suggestions for alternative popcorn popping methods
I use a 13" wok. Super easy, and it is reliable.
If you're down for stove top a great northern crank popper or a whirly pop are your best bet.
Lodge Dutch oven. Cook it with the lid on or slight off. Shake it a few times.
I went from the Whirley pop to the dash popper. Used it twice and cleanup is a breeze!
Suggestions for improving flavor
I use canola oil and add this to the kettle
That's the stuff to use. They also have a kettle corn flavor too.
Butter-flavored coconut oil will make it more unctuous, and Flavacol more delicious.
Various topping preferences shared
I asked about popcorn and got 🦗 https://www.reddit.com/r/hometheater/comments/w7r3k1/whats_your_popcorn_setup/
I use the Amish Country prepacks (oil, salt and corn). Don’t add anything additional.
I use plain popcorn (fine) salt, and melt Irish butter on the stove.
Alternative popcorn popping methods discussed
While not "low fat" by any means, it is using much healthier ingredients than "off the shelf" products often sold for "movie theater tasting" popcorn.
Thank you for your guide!
Preference for oil-based popping methods
I really prefer the flavour when the kernels are popped while coated in oil/flavourings.
Atom popper is easy to use and clean.
Discussion about modifications for better performance
I've been roasting on a modified West Bend Air Crazy popcorn popper for a couple of months.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Nostalgia for older popcorn makers
My Dad used to make popcorn in it every night.
Great Northern Popcorn packet including coconut oil and flavacol
It's a bit older than I am, and still going strong.
Many a batch of dry, unsalted, unbuttered popcorn went through that thing and we were told to like it.
Discussion around alternative popcorn makers
Seconded..love the Atom popper
Whirly Pop is my favorite by far. It is still a stovetop method that uses oil but imo is more convenient than a standard pot w/ a lid.
Discussion on types of oils used in theater popcorn
Popcorn I would like to know little bit more about their popcorn.
We would heat the kettle then put in the popcorn kernels and seasoning together then oil then manually empty the kettle once the batch was done.
I know that we don't either uses coconut oil or coconut/canola oil.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion on personal preferences for popcorn makers
Love my air popper. It's the kind where the popcorn waterfalls into the bowl.

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